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Jamboree on the Air

Jamboree on the Air

Jamboree-on-the-Air, or JOTA, is the largest Scouting event in the world. It is held annually the third full weekend in October. JOTA uses amateur radio to link Scouts and hams around the world, around the nation, and in your own community.

Scouts of any age can participate, from Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, Varsity Teams, Venturers, and Explorers. Once at the ham radio station, the communication typically involves talking on a microphone and listening on the station speakers. However, many forms of specialized communication may also be taking place, such as video communication, digital communication (much like sending a message on your smartphone but transmitted by radio), or communication through a satellite relay or an earth-based relay (called a repeater). The exchanges include such information as name, location (called QTH in ham speak), Scout rank, age, and hobbies. The stations you’ll be communicating with can be across town, across the country, or even around the world! The World Scout Bureau reported that nearly 1 million Scouts and almost 20,000 amateur radio operators participated in the 2015 JOTA, from more than 17,776 stations in 151 countries.

When and Where Is It?

The Southern Star District Jamboree-on-the-Air is held the third weekend in October. We will be On The Air from Friday 6:00 p.m. to Sunday 6:00 p.m., so you have the whole weekend to make JOTA contacts. Come to Camp Wisdom for the day on Saturday or camp for the weekend (please make your own camping arrangements). Patches are about 3 bucks.

Items to bring for your Scouts:

Laptop for Jamboree on the Internet and hotspot if possible.

Food for Crackel Barrel and info Friday night at 9:30 pm at the hamshack.